Alexander, Kalissa - Katlynn in Training (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Kalissa Alexander

  The grocery store was only a short distance away. Another reason why her parents had decided to live here, it was convenient to stores, movies theaters, and restaurants. Before they went inside the grocery store, she and Justin exchanged cell phone numbers in case they became separated. However, for the most part, they stayed close, pushing their carts up and down each aisle together.

  “You can put some things in my cart if you want to,” Justin offered.

  “Thanks,” she said, pushing a couple cans of soup into the side of her cart. I think I’m just about done for today. I’ll come back another time and finish up. It’s the paper goods that take up all the room. And lugging all this from the carport and up the steps is going to take me forever.”

  “You need to invest in a fold-up cart. I have one in the back of the car. It saves trips back and forth.”

  “That’s a really good idea. Thanks.”

  They were standing in the checkout line when Justin brought up the night before. Maybe he wasn’t going to make this as easy as she had thought.

  “Can you promise me the next time you feel like running away, that you’ll stop yourself. Believe me, running away is never a good thing. It’s not healthy.”

  “I told you I was sorry. I thought you understood. Why does it still matter?” She said it more sharply than she had intended. Running away from them had been her only defense against wanting them both to keep her in their arms and never let her go. She knew she had behaved badly, but speaking to her like this now, in a public place, wasn’t exactly fair.

  “Why?” Justin stepped back as if she had slapped him. “Because we were a mess after you left…debating on whether we should follow you or leave you alone…wondering if you were okay. You worried us sick. Are you telling me you don’t get that?”

  A woman with a small child came up behind Katlynn, bumping her with an overflowing cart. Not wanting the woman or the cashier to overhear them, she whispered, “Can we finish this conversation in the car?”

  “Sure.” Justin turned his back toward her and started emptying his cart onto the conveyer belt. He placed a separator between their two orders.

  With his back still to her, he moved closer to the cashier where he appeared to be concentrating on swiping his bank card along the electronic payment terminal.

  Regardless of how upset he might be with her, he did help bag her groceries and then loaded them in the back of his Land Rover. He was right. There was plenty of room for both their orders. Once she was settled in the car, she strapped herself in with the seat belt and leaned back, waiting for him to navigate his way out of the parking lot before continuing their conversation that she had ended in the store.

  When he had the car back on the open road, and still said nothing, she turned toward him. His eyes were on the road ahead. He didn’t look her way.

  “Justin, I know what I said back there hurt your feelings, and I’m sorry. It’s just so hard for me. I’ve always had a problem opening up to people. Last night was not the norm for me.”

  “Last night wasn’t the norm for me or Jeremiah either. We don’t usually have that kind of deep connection with someone we’ve just met.”

  “Me, too. I hope I haven’t put a wedge between us.”

  “You haven’t, but you have to be honest with us. Don’t turn away from us like you did last night again. Please.”

  “I can’t promise you that I won’t, but I can promise you that I’ll try not to. And if I do, please know that I’m trying and I need you to be patient with me. Okay?”

  “Neither Jeremiah or I have been known for our patience. But in your case, we’ll try our best.”

  “Thank you.” She smiled. “Just the fact that you and I are talking like this speaks volumes. Communicating my feelings is not my strong suit. I want to keep you and Jeremiah in my life.”

  “If you mean that, then you have to come back for dinner tonight. And I promise, we’ll keep the conversation light. Do you play poker?”

  “No. I’ve never played.”

  “We’ll teach you. Jarred taught us to play and my dad taught him. Of course, we’ll only play for pennies, especially since you’re a novice.”

  “What do you normally play for?

  “That depends on who we’re playing with,” he said, his voice low and husky.

  Little tremors swept through her body, putting her on edge. Stop it! You’ll ruin everything. You’re just feeling happy because he’s not still mad at you.

  “Is this a setup?” She laughed, feeling so much better now they were back to the way things were before she ran out of his house last night. “I mean, you know I can’t win.”

  “Not to worry. By the time Jarred gets here, you’ll be a pro.”

  “Well then, I guess you and Jeremiah will have to teach me well.” Katlynn smiled. “That is, if I’m to beat Jarred.”

  “We don’t even beat Jarred. But you might have an advantage over us since he hasn’t known you his whole life. Of course, we might just have to play several times a week to get you up to speed.”

  “I can be a pretty quick study when I make my mind up to do or learn something. Did I tell you that I play piano? Not well enough to do anything with it, but when I was ten, I wanted to take lessons. We didn’t have a piano. Not something that’s easy to move around the country. Anyway, my father agreed, but his orders were changed and six months later we moved. Once I found out about the change in plans, I applied myself so intensely to the remaining lessons that I was able to play Beethoven’s Lament before we packed up for our next duty station.

  “Very impressive.” Justin grinned. “However, you can’t compare poker to the piano. Poker not only takes skill, it takes a certain amount subterfuge that not everyone can master or at least master well.”

  “We’ll see.” She grinned back. “Let the lessons begin.”

  * * * *

  Once again, Justin had prepared a delicious meal. This time he had made spicy chili with homemade bread that melted in Katlynn’ s mouth. For dessert, they finished the remainder of the chocolate cake. Justin must have primed Jeremiah because there was no mention of the evening before and what had transpired. Katlynn was grateful that they had decided to give her another chance.

  After dinner, Jeremiah set up for their first game of poker together. He patiently explained everything to Katlynn, making her question Justin’s statement that neither brother had patience. She was impressed with his teaching style that was easygoing and encouraged questions no matter how simple.

  Justin dealt the first hand, but they both showed her their cards and explained the thought process behind forcing the first bet and the decision to match or hold. The more they played, the more Katlynn found herself enjoying the game. By the end of the evening, she knew the difference between a straight flush and a royal flush versus a straight or a full house. Before their final hand, she knew that she was going online that night to buy a book on how to play poker. Justin and Jeremiah were very good players, and if she were going to hold their interest as well as beat big brother, she was going to have to become a better player.

  “You know,” Jeremiah said, tipping the cowboy hat he had put on when they started playing, saying it was his lucky hat, “you have a natural poker face. You’re hard to read.”

  “I’ve always held things pretty close to the cuff. I guess, where poker is concerned, that’s not a bad thing.”

  “Keeping your opponent on their toes and guessing your next move, that’s key to holding a winning hand regardless of whether it’s the best hand.” Justin began to put away the cards along with their stash of pennies.

  “I guess Jarred gave you those words of wisdom.”

  “He’s older, and he for sure thinks he’s wiser.” Justin laughed. “Truth is we’d be lost without him. With Dad gone, he keeps us on the right road. I know my mom depends on him a lot, too. With us gone, he gets the brunt of everything. Being that he’s the oldest, my Mom has really been nagging him about settling down. H
owever, he’s not exactly traditional when it comes to lifestyle.”

  “I thank my lucky stars every day that my sister has three kids. It takes some of the pressure off the rest of us. What about you, Katlynn?” Jeremiah asked. “Are you looking for the picket fence and the soccer-mom van?”

  Katlynn knew what they were doing. Indirectly they were answering the question she had asked last night before her tirade of tears. She thought for a moment before she answered. She was still trying to wrap her head around Jeremiah’s lifestyle comment concerning Jarred. Was it possible that Jarred was gay? Realizing she still hadn’t spoken and both sets of eyes were glued to her, she decided to take Justin’s advice and be honest.

  “I’ve haven’t thought a lot about having children. I haven’t been around them all that much, and I’m not really sure I’m cut out for that role. I mean,” she continued, not wanting them to think she was anti-kids, “I like kids, I do. It’s just some women start getting these maternal instincts around my age or before, and it hasn’t hit me. I mean, I don’t even have a dog or a cat. You don’t think I’m awful do you?”

  “To the contrary.” Justin smiled, touching her arm gently. “I think it’s good that you know how you feel and you don’t think you have to be a certain way because society dictates that’s the norm. Not that you might not change your mind someday, but whether a woman has children or not has nothing to do with the size of her heart or whether or not she’s a good person.”

  “I second that completely.” Jeremiah smiled, sitting back in his chair. “You should never feel bad about being honest.”

  For a moment she thought she was going to cry again. Her emotions were so close to the surface. She continued to blame her lack of control on the death of her parents, but if she were truthful with herself, there was something about the Justin and Jeremiah that brought out a depth of emotion in her she hadn’t realized she possessed. Blinking her eyes, she smiled at one and then the other brother. “You two are good for me. Thank you.”

  They spent the remainder of the evening talking about a variety of subjects including the condo association and the new pool that would be ready for summer. By the time she checked her cell phone, it was almost midnight.

  “Wow, I can’t believe how late it is. I really have to be going. And you, Jeremiah, have to get up and go to work tomorrow. Justin and I can sleep in. I’m sorry I kept you up so late.”

  “Nonsense, I wouldn’t mind if you stayed longer,” Jeremiah said graciously.

  “Always the perfect host.” She giggled. “Even when it means you’ll be dragging yourself out of bed in the morning cursing your pesky neighbor.”

  “Never,” Jeremiah said adamantly, humor glinting from his sleepy eyes.

  “But, the truth is I’m tired myself. Thank goodness I was able to clear my bed of all the boxes yesterday. I may still have a lot of unpacking to do, but at least I have a place to sleep.”

  “You could have stayed here you know. Our third bedroom is made up as guest room until Jarred arrives. If you ever find yourself in need of a place to sleep, let us know. It’s yours to use whenever you want.”

  “Now you tell me,” she joked. Although she was just trying to be funny, the idea of waking up in the same house with Justin and Jeremiah had its appeal. They were fun, and being in their company was uplifting. The thought of going back to her own house by herself where there were only more unopened boxes to greet her, was suddenly more depressing than ever. “By the way, when does Jarred arrive?”

  Both brothers smiled at each other, but it was Justin that answered her question, “Sometime this summer.”

  “I look forward to meeting him.”

  “And he,” Jeremiah said, looking into her eyes deeply, “is looking forward to meeting you, too.”

  “You’ve already told him about me?” She was surprised that she would have come up in their conversation so quickly.

  “We told you we share everything and especially where our big brother is concerned.”

  “Well, if he’s anything like you two, I’m sure I’ll love him.”

  “We’re counting on it,” Jeremiah said softly, his eyes never leaving hers.

  Reluctantly she said her good-nights. But before they would let her go, they insisted they each be allowed to hug her. She gave in with a smile, happy they were their kind and wonderful selves again. She reveled in their warm hugs and the light kiss on the forehead she received from each one. Justin said he’d give her a call tomorrow.

  The evening had been fun, and she hated to see it end, but she was becoming more tired by the minute. And although Jeremiah had said he didn’t want her to leave, she knew he had to be exhausted and ready to crawl into bed. A mental picture of him crawling naked into his bed flashed in her head. Reluctantly, she willed the erotic image away only to be replaced by a similar one of Justin. It was good that she left when she did. Her brain must be fried. She must be more tired than she realized.

  Katlynn wondered if their big brother Jarred would be as easy to get to know and like as his brothers. However, her liking him wasn’t really the issue. They hadn’t actually said it, but she knew it was very important to both Jeremiah and Justin that Jarred like her. If not, she thought unhappily, she might find herself alone again. She didn’t want to think about that as even a remote possibility. She’d just have to do whatever it took to make sure he did like her.

  Chapter Seven

  After Kat left, Jeremiah and Justin didn’t go to bed right away. They were both keyed up from their evening with the woman they both agreed they wanted and needed in their bed and their life. But they had also agreed that they would wait for Jarred before they opened up to her about their desire for more than just friendship. It would force them to be patient and not move too quickly. Jeremiah wasn’t used to not having a woman, and with Kat being so close he knew the temptation would be great. Justin felt the same way but felt if they took her before she met Jarred, something would be missing and they would never be able to go back and make it right.

  “She’s not like other women. She’s special. I know I keep saying that, but I feel it in my bones. We can’t rush her. It’s gotta be right, and I know that with Jarred in the picture it will be.” The seriousness and sincerity in Justin’s tone was not lost on Jeremiah.

  “I know. It’s just going to be damn difficult that’s all. Not to worry, I gave my word and I meant it. I want what’s best for all of us, too, and God knows I don’t want to ruin it. She’s worth the wait. It’s just that I want her so badly.”

  Jeremiah knew he was falling in love with Kat. Justin had been right. She was like no one he had met before. She had a way about her that made him want to get to know every aspect of her, not just bed her. He wasn’t used to having a woman do that to him. In fact, until Kat, no one ever had before. It wasn’t that he didn’t like the women he had gone to bed with, but he had never been with a woman who took his breath away like Kat did. He had always enjoyed the freedom of not having emotional entanglements. All he had wanted was to have fun and that meant being free to do as he pleased.

  When he and Justin and then Jarred had started enjoying women together, he had embraced the sex without the hassle of awkward mornings. The women they took to their bed knew the score and wanted nothing more than to be gone when their time together had come to an end. It worked out well for all concerned.

  Except that one time with Jessica. She was a paralegal in his office who had led him to believe that her attitude about no-strings-attached sex was in line with his own. They had gone out for drinks after work one night and ended up in a hotel room. He hadn’t planned it, but she was more than willing, and she turned out to be a good lay. When she suggested drinks again, he said yes, but this time he called Justin to meet them at the hotel bar. Justin was more than happy to oblige.

  He could tell that Jessica liked Justin right away. She was more than just flirty, and that pleased Jeremiah. Finally when he’d had enough, he said to her, “So, Jessi
ca, are you having a hard time choosing which of us you want tonight?”

  “Damn, you must be reading my mind.” She giggled, looking from one brother to the other. “What’s a girl gonna do?”

  “What if we tell you that you don’t have to choose.” Jeremiah smiled.

  “You mean like do you both at the same time?”

  “Exactly.”

  “I just keep liking you better and better all the time, Jeremiah, and now I get to show your brother how much I like him.”

  It didn’t take them long to pay the bar tab and get a room for the night. Jessica practically skipped to the elevator. Inside she kissed Justin while rubbing her ass up and down Jeremiah’s cock. By the time the elevator had taken them to the sixteenth floor, Jessica was already unbuttoning her blouse. Jeremiah could only imagine what the guard who monitored the cameras thought…probably something like, “Wish I were one of those lucky sons of bitches.” He winked at the camera before the elevator doors closed behind them.

  Jessica proved to be more than skilled with two men. He was sure she was no novice. She knew exactly how to move and adjust her body so that both brothers could fuck her with ease. Justin took her ass while he fucked her cunt that was sopping wet. She also gave a helluva blow job and took every bit of cum down her throat. However, as good as she was technically, there was no real fire in her. Justin had later told him he had felt the same way. The sex was good, but the experience was lacking the passion they both enjoyed.

  She mentioned having drinks again with him and Justin when he had run into her the following week. He made up an excuse. She seemed to finally get the message the third or fourth time he turned her down. So when she showed up at his apartment door on a Saturday night with a couple of friends, he was surprised to say the least.